The Full Story of
Stella Welcome to Your Doodem
A story of family, identity and belonging
Stella Welcome to Your Doodem is a children's story rooted in family, Indigenous identity, and the teachings of kinship. Through Stella's journey, young readers are invited to explore the importance of knowing where we come from, the people who shape us, and the relationships that connect us to our families and communities.
The Story Behind Stella
Stella was born from my own relationship with family, story, and the teachings carried through generations. I wanted to create a story that gave young Indigenous readers an opportunity to see themselves, their families, and their identities reflected in a joyful and meaningful way. At the centre of Stella's story is the understanding that our identities are connected to the people, communities, languages, lands, and relationships that came before us. Stella is an invitation to young readers to ask questions, listen to their family stories, and discover the teachings carried within their own relationships.
My great-grandmother is part of the story I carry.
The stories we inherit do not begin with us. They are carried through generations, through names, relationships, memories, teachings, photographs, stories, and the people who came before us. Stella is one small way of continuing that story and carrying it forward for another generation.
Stella FAQ
What is a Doodem?
A doodem (doe-day-m) is a clan or kinship system that connects individuals to family, community, responsibilities, and relationships. Doodem teachings differ between Indigenous nations and communities, and they carry important cultural and relational knowledge.
In Stella Welcome to Your Doodem, Stella begins exploring her own family relationships and what it means to understand where she comes from.
Bringing Stella Into Learning Spaces
Stella can be used as a starting point for conversations about identity, family, kinship, belonging, storytelling, and Indigenous ways of knowing.
Contact for:
-
Author Readings
-
I Love to Read Month
-
Professional learning
-
Indigenous literacy
